Bruins vs Oilers: Preview

Through the first three games of the season it has become abundantly clear that the Bruins have one, if not THE best top line in hockey. In three games the trio of Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak have combined for 18 points, despite scoring ZERO points in the first game of the season. That is 18 points in two games... between three players... unreal. That being said, it has also become obvious that there is a major lack of scoring depth. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

Through the first three games the second line of Krejci, Donato and Debrusk have combined for a grand total of two points, one of which was obtained by Donato on the power-play and had nothing to do with his production as a part of the second line. Cassidy has opted to make Donato a healthy scratch tonight in favor of Joakim Nordstrom, which is a controversial move to say the least. Donato has major promise as a young skater, while Nordstrom has scored a pitiful 20 goals in roughly 300 NHL games. In my opinion the Bruins should have scratched Krejci, or at least dropped him to the third line. He just is not the player that he has been in the past and he either needs a major wakeup call, or to be moved for younger, faster talent.

The Oilers, on the other hand boast arguably the best player in hockey with Connor McDavid, as well as a number of other talented forwards. Virtually anyone who is on the ice with McDavid automatically gets a major value boost, especially when they are talented individuals themselves. The Oilers have only played a single game this season, giving us little glimpse into what this team is capable of this coming season. However, it is easy to determine that they will have a potent offense with McDavid leading the way.